- Soft Maple -
Molly could vaguely remember dreaming about going to the beach on a sunny day and cutting open a watermelon. What awakened her was the sensation of something hard pressing onto her face. Slowly, she regained consciousness and cracked an eye open. She tried opening the other but soon realized that it was covered by a large and warm arm. Now fully awake and aware of her surroundings she signed deeply, moving away her husband's arm and gently placing it on his chest. Positioning herself on her elbow she looked down at his sleeping form and was able to distinguish his face with the dim moonlight coming from the kitchen windows on the other side of the one room bungalow. His facial expression displayed contentment and such calm and peace – a part of himself he rarely showed once awake – that Molly couldn't stop her lips from curling upwards.
Sharing a double bed with Luke sure was a challenge: he took a lot of space and radiated a lot of heat. Molly's solution? Removing their heavy duvet cover and snuggling close to Luke, placing her forehead and nose against his chest and his arms around her shoulders. Only like that she was able to drowse off again. Holding him very close, inhaling his scent of shower gel mixed with the lingering scent of wood, she felt safe. At times Luke would wake up, release a long serene sign, and tighten his hold on her. And tonight, as she snuggled closer into his chest she felt him place a kiss on top of her head.
In moments like these Molly felt blessed – blessed to have Luke in her life, blessed to have forged a strong friendship, and even more blessed to have fallen in love and married her best friend. Looking back to the day they first met in Fugue forest she never imagined that one day the man with wild eyes, amazing biceps, clothing drenched in sweat and carrying an axe would become her husband. However, once she got to know him – past his hyperactive spirit – she couldn't deny any longer that what they had was simply good chemistry or butterflies in her stomach whenever he was near.
If there is one thing falling in love with the young carpenter has taught her, is that growing up doesn't mean that you have to stop being a kid.
And so it begins.